Just got my first motorcycle...

[DrumminBoy]

1973 Honda CB175

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It seems to be in great condition, but an oil leak somewhere fouls the plugs after running for a few minutes. I think it may be the head gasket, so I'm planning on replacing that soon. The best part of it all is that I got it for free - it was my brother's girlfriend's bike and theyre moving to california in a few weeks, so they gave it to me rather than going through the hassle of trying to sell it. So whattya think?

 

[Zim Hosein]

Nice especially since it's free!

 

[Hooligan]

awesome, i'm trying to get my license right now, i'm looking for a place to get training. my dad wants to get me a bike, i think i'm going to hurt myself.

 

[Eli]

Free is a very good price!

It might not have an oil leak, the rings may just be stuck. If it was bad, you would definately notice blue smoke out the exhaust.. particularly at the moment of sudden acceleration, and during deceleration.

Warm it up, give it an oil change, change the plugs and air filter, restart it and give it a healthy dose of carb cleaner.

Probably wouldn't hurt to put some carb or FI cleaner in the tank, too.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: ChineseSkaterNoRice
awesome, i'm trying to get my license right now, i'm looking for a place to get training. my dad wants to get me a bike, i think i'm going to hurt myself.

Consider yourself lucky, most parents are the other way around

 

[Hooligan]

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Originally posted by: ChineseSkaterNoRice
awesome, i'm trying to get my license right now, i'm looking for a place to get training. my dad wants to get me a bike, i think i'm going to hurt myself.

Consider yourself lucky, most parents are the other way around

i've seen these pictures of my dad back when he lived in taiwan. he had long hair, listened to cleerance clearwater revival and rode a motorcycle. :Q:beer:

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: ChineseSkaterNoRice

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Originally posted by: ChineseSkaterNoRice
awesome, i'm trying to get my license right now, i'm looking for a place to get training. my dad wants to get me a bike, i think i'm going to hurt myself.

Consider yourself lucky, most parents are the other way around

i've seen these pictures of my dad back when he lived in taiwan. he had long hair, listened to cleerance clearwater revival and rode a motorcycle. :Q:beer:

Congrats ChineseSkaterNoRice :beer:

 

[boyRacer]

Coooooool... i love those retro bikes! I wanted a Yamaha RD250 before.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Are you sure that it's oil fouling and not just running excessively rich? If the choke is stuck or the cable is broken that could cause excessive richness. If you were getting oil into the cylinders you would definitely see it out the exaust.

ZV

 

[pinoy]

congrats on your new toy! i'm thinking of buying one and my wife is ok with it but i hear stories that no matter how careful you are driving it but if the driver behind you is not, you're still srewed. The guy i used to worked with was rear-ended twice so he dicided to sell is gold-wings (is it by Honda?).

This thing just made me think twice. anyway, Congrats again.

 

[HappyPuppy]

DON'T KILL YOURSELF!

 

[mjquilly]

It's kinda like the Geo Metro of motorcycles, but whatever floats your boat, glad you like it! Welcome to motorcycles! mine

 

[ThisIsMatt]

It wouldn't be the headgasket, it would most likely be the rings or maybe valve seals (less likely)...

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: mjquilly
It's kinda like the Geo Metro of motorcycles, but whatever floats your boat, glad you like it! Welcome to motorcycles! mine

Nice ride!


And welcome to the wonderful world of 2 wheels, DrumminBoy. Maybe unnecessary to say this, but make sure the brakes are in good shape too. My understanding is that that model has little brake quirks, which are easily kept in check by regular inspection and maintenance. Brakes are your friend

Again, keep safe, and enjoy!

 

[DrumminBoy]

Originally posted by: mjquilly
It's kinda like the Geo Metro of motorcycles, but whatever floats your boat, glad you like it! Welcome to motorcycles! mine

Of course I'd like to get something more powerful someday, but as a 17 year old thats never really ridden a motorcycle before, I think it'll be fine

 

[ViperXX]

It's not your head gasket causing the fouling. It most likely the piston pings.

If it was the head gasket you would be losing compression not fouling the plug.

 

[DrumminBoy]

Originally posted by: ViperXX
It's not your head gasket causing the fouling. It most likely the piston pings.

If it was the head gasket you would be losing compression not fouling the plug.

eek...that doesnt sound good. How much would it cost to have a bike shop replace the piston rings?

 

[DrumminBoy]

bump - just talked to my brother and found out that it is the piston rings that are bad, but their mechanic said that if they were to replace the rings, the head gasket would need to be replaced also. How much would a motorcycle shop charge for this kind of work? Would it be hard to do on my own?

 

[dreamer]

Congrats! Have fun and be safe . Motorcycle riding is a skill you have to work on constantly.

 

[StageLeft]

Cool

Mrsskoorb wouldn't let me get one.

 

[chin311]

free = g00d.

have fun...

 

[K6]

Originally posted by: DrumminBoy
1973 Honda CB175

Nice Bike , welcome in the biker's World.

 

[zCypher]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Cool

Mrsskoorb wouldn't let me get one.

bahahaha

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

thats a great bike. Take good care of it and yourself. If you don't know experience riding you need to take a motorcycle safety class.


Oh, and check the airfilter.... if its super dirty it can cause the bike to run rich and foul plugs.

 

[Sid59]

free = awesome. i wanan learn to ride. that would be cool.